Scania’s new offering has swept a European fuel consumption test, with a similar model to be launched in Australia in 2018
The competition was no match for a Scania Touring in Italy-based BusToCoach’s comparative test of 11 2-axle coaches from six bus builders recently.
It recorded an impressive and unbeatable figure of 18.2 litres/100km, comprehensively outperforming its rivals.
The competition lined up coaches from Irizar, Iveco, Mercedes, Setra and Temsa for a fuel duel that included 347km of varied road conditions in Lombardy, Piacenza and Liguria.
The Touring’s consumption was an impressive 12 per cent lower than the runner-up, and 31 per cent better than the thirstiest coach in the test.
The results for the Scania Touring HD 12.1m coach surprised even seasoned bus experts.
“The results have exceeded all expectations in terms of consumption, plus a remarkably interesting purchase price,” the judges commented. “The consumption turned out to be better than any optimistic prediction.”
While the test was carried out at a relatively moderate average speed of 77.4km/h and the air-conditioning was only in operation half the time, such was the result that judges were left questioning just how there was such a disparity in the performances of the vehicles.
However, they found that the low fuel consumption could primarily be attributed to Scania’s 13-litre SCR-only engine, the automated Scania Opticruise and Scania Active Prediction, which provides topographical information to the
on-board control system, allowing the vehicle to predict approaching hills or descents.
In addition to the fuel consumption, the newsletter praised the Scania Touring for its “very good interior quietness for both passengers and the driver, and the well-finished trim.”
A version of the Scania Touring, similar to that tested but suitable for the Australian market in 4×2 configuration, is destined to be launched here during the latter part of 2018.